Aviation Accident: Four-Engine Aircraft Crash Near Bogotá-El Dorado Airport (HK-777)

Incident Overview and Flight Details A four-engine aircraft departed Bogotá-El Dorado Airport from Runway 12 at 0743 local time, bound for Willemstad, Curaçao, with scheduled intermediate stops in Cartagena, Barranquilla, and San Andrés Island. The aircraft carried 36 passengers and six crew members, totaling 42 occupants. ## Sequence of Events One minute and 50 seconds after takeoff, air traffic control instructed the crew to change communication frequency from 118.1 to 121.3. Approximately three minutes after departure, while in the climb phase, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt El Cable, located 12 kilometers southeast of the airport. The aircraft disintegrated upon impact, resulting in the deaths of all 42 people on board. ## Investigation Findings The official investigation concluded that available evidence was insufficient to establish the probable cause or causes of the accident with certainty. Key findings included: - Poor visibility conditions in the Bogotá area, particularly in the eastern hills where the crash occurred, played a decisive role in the accident. - The takeoff and most of the initial climb proceeded normally. However, during the final phase of the flight, the aircraft failed to reach the required altitude and did not initiate the turn toward the Techo radio beacon in a timely manner as required by procedure. - For reasons that could not be clearly determined, the aircraft continued on its flight path until a few seconds before impact, when the pilot initiated a right turn, although the accident was already inevitable. - The loss of data from both the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) erased essential evidence regarding the factors that caused the accident. - Investigators noted the captain's high level of flying skills, dedication to duties, and excellent control of the aircraft. While evidence suggested a possible error in the application of established procedures during the takeoff phase, investigators also concluded that an undetermined factor may have contributed to the accident.